CYBERDRIVE USB-C Audio DAC Dongle by ESS 9280 Quad DAC, Support 384K / DSD256, 135dB SNR, 120dB DSR, 0.0001% THD, with 2Vrms to 600ohm Amplifier, Power by 3.5mm Jack for Earbuds and Headphones, Blue

Ok this does not cost as much as some of the other popular dac amps do but what if I said this is just as good and it’s enough? Would you believe me? Probably not. But I have a few good iems and headphones and this little guy is enough for it all. It was able to power my Sundara’s, a large planar magnetic headphone, enough to sound loud and clear. I have the AFUL Performer 8, a $370 in ear monitor, and it sounds great. I mostly use this amp with my Letshuoer S12 iems, a planar magnetic earphone. This thing has enough power and quality to satisfy most people’s needs. Can it be better? Yes. What would I like instead of just this? This but the capability to also charge as well instead of using a usb c hub in addition to this, which isn’t a totally bad thing imo. I do have more expensive amp/dac’s but this is a great go to especially while on the go. You don’t need to spends hundreds on just a silly usb c dac amp when you have this. Yes I highly recommend this especially if you’re on a budget or want to upgrade from an Apple 3.5mm dongle.

UPDATE: STOPPED WORKING AFTER 3 MONTHS!!I would not consider myself a serious audiophile, but I do own multiple mid-range headphone amplifiers, desktop DACs and headphones that I enjoy daily. I also like to listen on my phone when not home and I prefer wired IEMs rather than bluetooth which means I need a way to plug them into my phone which brings me to a short review of the Cyberdrive USB-C DAC/dongle.I had previously tried three other similar dongles with varying degrees of success. The first was the generic Apple brand dongle that a friend gave me but I quickly found out that it didn't have its own DAC so it was not compatible with my S23+. Next I tried a USB-C to Audio dongle from Amazon that had a DAC but was one of the cheapest options that didn't list the actual DAC chip it was using. This worked fine of course, and without comparing it to anything else I was happy enough with the results. Next I decided I needed another dongle to keep with my earbuds that I use to workout and so this time I went with a slightly more expensive dongle that listed using the Realtek ALC4042 DAC chip. This was a marked improvement over the no-name DAC and just had a more dynamic presentation. Unfortunately, the original no-name DAC dongle started to randomly disconnect so it needed to be replaced. I was just going to get a second dongle with the Realtek ALC4042 DAC chip and call it a day but then I came across the Cyberdrive dongle which is using the ESS 9280 DAC chip. Since my favorite DAC at home is an ESS based DAC I thought I would take a chance even though there was only (at the time) one review for this item on Amazon. And I am glad I did. This dongle is absolutely better sounding than the Realtek dongle. I am someone who believes that all well implemented DACs more or less sound the same so I was surprised at being able to immediately notice a difference. There was just a better/clearer separation of instruments and vocals. The one caveat is that the Cyberdrive dongle does play a bit quieter that the others so I had to increase the volume on my phone 2 notches to get equal sound to the Realtek dongle. For me this isn't a problem because my IEMs are efficient enough but it could be an issue with harder to drive gear.In summary, this is a fantastic sounding DAC and at $13.99 it is an absolute steal.

For the price, there is no better. Easily equaling much more expensive ESS Sabre Units - this thing is a manufacturing miracle at the price. I bought it thinking it would be some bogus product, given the price - it is, in fact, one of THE BEST sounding, well performant DACs I've ever heard and owned, all while rivaling MUCH more expensive units.It's incredible. Not much else to say.It's definitely a 'new' company and a 'new' unit online, thus the lack of reviews, but hopefully this will prompt other people to purchase this, because you'd only be doing yourself and your ears a favor if you did.Amazing product for the price.

This dac is Incredible! Sou ds just as good as much more expensive dacs I've had the fiio btr5 the k3 and k5 this is on the same level if not better. Of course thoes can reach much higher volumes but this is more than enough for my akg n5005 and my Focal Elegia. Cristal clear sound. Definitely keeping this one. I saw some bad reviews about the QC and mine also came a little dirty, looks like it had some residue from the factory but it cleaned up real nice with a microfiber. I'm excited to see what else they come out with. I'll update my review if anything changes

I was using this for a daily 30-minute Zoom call each morning. It quit working after about six weeks of use.

Tried in a Samsung Tablet S7+, MacBook Pro, Windows PC, and V60. None would power it up. It doesn't work and has the same dried glue or whatever on its exterior as another reviewer posted.I was excited to try it, since I wanted the same sound quality out of my Samsung tablet as my V60 with the Quad DAC but unfortunately it is Dead On Arrival.********EDIT********So I got a replacement sent to me and I have to send the DOA one back, but I am happy to say that the replacement item does work, didn't cost me anything to do the exchange (I have to drop it off at a UPS dropbox), and it has a very similar sound signature to the LG V60. (Tested with 1More Triple Driver wired earbuds and Meze Neo 99's in all the devices listed above with no issues.)If they would have let me keep the DOA one I maybe would have done a teardown video on it (dissolve the glue and separate the case) to verify the components within.Either way, kudos to Amazon and Cyberdrive for making my bad day a good one with only a minor hassle!Now I can feel comfortable upgrading to a phone that doesn't have a headphone jack.

This DAC was surprisingly good. For some reason, no longer available. Can’t even get another one.

The feature-set is decent, offering both DSD and MQA rendering, but the overall performance is still mediocre compared to its competition, even at the price point.Just spend the $22 on the Meizu Mblu (Lifeme HiFi). Much better performance.